Movable display device

ABSTRACT

A display device is disclosed comprising a series of flat platelike members arranged in stacked relation and secured to a common pivotal axis. A plurality of axes may be juxtaposed and the respective plates of different axes arranged in different geometric relationships.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Willi Gutmann 8155 Oberhasli, Switzerland [2]] Appl. No. 840,219 [22] Filed July 9, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 11, 1972 [54] MOVABLE DISPLAY DEVICE 1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 40/67 [51] Int. Cl G09f11/06 [50] Field of Search 40/67, 145, I26, 124.1; 161/22, 24

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 828,161 8/1906 Whitcomb 40/67 X 858,340 6/1907 Harde 40/67X 3,203,124 8/l965 s16esse1... 40/126x 3,418,737 12/1968 Lambert 40/67 FOREIGN PATENTS 246,621 1/1961 Australia 161 22 316,286 4/1934 Italy l6l/24 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant ExaminerRichard Cater Attorney-Pennie, Edmonds, Morton, Taylor and Adams ABSTRACT: A display device is'disclosed comprising a series of flat platelike members arranged in stacked relation and secured to a common pivotal axis. A plurality of axes may be juxtaposed and the respective plates of different axes arranged in different geometric relationships.

PAIENTEBJAMIHYZ 31633297 SHEET 1 OF 2 FIG 1 f WILL GUTM BY Maw/4 777;; and 04 ATTORNEYS PATENIEU .mu 1 m2 3j5 33"297 SHEET 2 OF 2 FIG 3 l INVENTOR WlLLl GUTMANN ATTORNEYS MOVABLE DISPLAY DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned broadly with teaching structural arrangements of flat platelike elements in stacked pivotal relationship suitable for displaying items on said platelike elements or for arrangements of the platelike elements in an esthetic visual array. In the latter instance, the display device is in its broadest sense a sculpture having moving parts.

In accordance with the invention, a series of flat plates are stacked to form a column, each of the plates being connected to a hinge axis which permits the stacked plates, either singly or together, to rotate about the axis. In its more complicated form, at least two such columns of plates are hinged so as to permit two sets of stacked plates to swing toward and away from each other as well as individually with respect to each plate in a respective column. Furthermore, the two sets of plates at the same level in each column are preferably part of a geometric whole. That is to say, when movement of the several plates in each column is made to bring each set of plates closely against the other, the adjacent columns will form a solid three-dimensional figure, such as an oblong, cube, sphere or geometric variation thereof which may include irregularly shaped and asymmetrical forms.

It is contemplated that new devices according to the present invention may consist of one or several such axes of movement.

Although the device of the present invention has utility as a means for displaying items, for example, upon different adjacent plates which may be adjusted to form steps or shelves for displaying items thereon, the geometric arrangement in its infinitude of plate positionings has great intrinsic and esthetic beauty. Consequently, as the ultimate in a display device the present invention contemplates the use of the present device as a movable sculpture.

In certain forms of the present invention, the arrangement and juxtaposition of the plate columns is such that fullscale use can be made of the principles of construction in the form of a stage for theatrical presentations.

Various aspects of the present invention will become more apparent upon an examination of the following description of preferred embodiments thereof and of the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the invention in the form of a solid oblong figure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. I wherein plate elements thereof have been rotated with respect to two axes to form spiraling columns;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross section taken in the direction of arrows 44 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment according to the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing and initially to FIGS. 1-4 thereof, reference numeral indicates generally a movable display device constructed according to the principles of the present invention. Display device 10 has rectangular horizonla] base and top sections 11 and 12. A first series of stacked plates 14a, 14b, 140, etc., ascend vertically to interconnect the base and top of sections 11 and 12, each of the plates being pivotally connected to a common vertical pin 16. Immediately adjacent to the first set of plates 14a, 14b, 14c, etc., is a second set I711, l 7b, 170, etc., similarly arran ed to ivot about the vertical pm 18. Base and top sections 1 and l are each comprised of several stacked plate elements Ila, etc., and 12a, etc., immovably secured together by pins 16 and 18.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the plates in the two columns, namely, those comprising 14a, 14b, etc., and 17a, 17b, etc., may pivot individually about the respective pins 16 and 18 to form a series of flat horizontal sections extending as counter rotating spirals about each of the pins 16 and 18. Adjacent plates 14a, 17a; 14b, 17b, etc., when closed together as shown in FIG. 1, form a geometric unity in the form of an oblong. When rotated away from each other as in FIG. 2, the plates 14a, etc., and 17a, etc., form flat horizontal shelves or platform projections upon which may be arranged an item or items to be displayed. However, it will be appreciated that due to the practically infinite number of variations in which the respective plates in the two sets may be arranged, very pleasing visual effects can be achieved which causes the display device to function it its own right as movable sculpture.

With reference to FIG. 5, there has been illustrated schematically a further arrangement according to the present invention. It will be seen that in the embodiment of FIG. 5, each of the plates 20a, etc., 21a, etc., and 22a, etc., therein comprises a geometric unity in the horizontal direction in the form of a cylinder. The cylinder is separated into three sections, each stacked section of plates being free to rotate about independent axes 23, 24 and 25 relative to each other and with respect to the independent axes 23, 24 and 25. In all other respects, the embodiment of FIG. 5 can be operated in the same manner as described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.

It will be appreciated that according to the concept of the present invention, it is not necessary to have a plurality of stacked pivotally mounted plates in juxtaposed relation, but rather a single column of plates can be arranged to provide a great many of the physical plate relations and visual effects created by two or more rotating columns of plates. Furthermore, although in the preferred embodiment the two or more axes about which columns of stacked plates are free to rotate have been depicted as being parallel, it should be apparent that the axes may be arranged in nonparallel relationship.

It will therefore be understood that the foregoing description has related to preferred embodiments of the invention and has therefore been merely representative. In order to appreciate fully the spirit and scope of the present invention, reference should be made to the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A multiple-axis movable display device comprising at least two sets of plates, successive plates of each set being in overlying contact with each other within each set, means for supporting the plates of each set for rotation about an axis between open and closed positions of said device, the axis of one set being separate from the axis of another set, said axes being parallel, means for connecting said axes in a rigid geometric relation, the individual plates of one set being arranged to have edge portions in continuous abutting contact in said closed position with edge portions of individual plates of another set, the individual contacting plats of one set being coplanar with respect to the plates of another set, such that when said contact is established, said display device is a substantially solid body. 

1. A multiple-axis movable display device comprising at least two sets of plates, successive plates of each set being in overlying contact with each other within each set, means for supporting the plates of each set for rotation about an axis between open and closed positions of said device, the axis of one set being separate from the axis of another set, said axes being parallel, means for connecting said axes in a rigid geometric relation, the individual plates of one set being arranged to have edge portions in continuous abutting contact in said closed position with edge portions of individual plates of another set, the individual contacting plats of one set being coplanar with respecT to the plates of another set, such that when said contact is established, said display device is a substantially solid body. 